Seattle Dive Tours

Located in Seattle, Washington, Seattle Dive Tours operates as a boutique outfit catering to divers looking for a more personal approach to the Salish Sea. They provide a variety of diving experiences, ranging from daytime explorations and seasonal night dives to private charters and shore-based excursions.

The centre is deeply integrated into the local marine environment, holding PADI Eco Center status and adhering to Green Fins standards. Their commitment to the area is practical, involving regular underwater clean-ups and the support of local habitat restoration projects.

The centre focuses on high instructor-to-student ratios to ensure safe and attentive training. For professional courses, they maintain a limit of two students per instructor, while Rescue Diver training is conducted with up to four students and at least two instructors.

On guided excursions, the team keeps groups small, with a maximum of four divers per guide. This allows for a more observant experience, particularly when searching for the subtle macro life that defines the Pacific Northwest waters.

The training programme covers the full spectrum of PADI certifications. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving and work through to Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver. For those looking to progress professionally, the centre offers Rescue Diver, Divemaster, and Master Scuba Diver pathways.

Specialised training is a core part of their curriculum, with courses such as Enriched Air, Dry Suit, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and Self Reliant Diver. They also offer niche local studies, including Nudibranchs of the Salish Sea, Salish Sea Diver, and Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Diver.

Full rental kit is available for those not travelling with their own equipment, with all items cleaned and disinfected after every use. The centre also operates a physical and online shop for those looking to upgrade their personal gear.

For those opting for guided tours, standard rental equipment is included in the cost. On board or during trips, the centre provides water, towels, sun cream, and hot drinks to ensure you are comfortable between dives.

The marine life of the Salish Sea is diverse and highly seasonal due to fluctuations in plankton and primary production. You will find a variety of larger pelagics and mammals, including common seals, sea lions, and six-gill sharks.

Macro enthusiasts will find much to explore among the reef structures. The area is home to various nudibranchs, banded shrimp, and scorpionfish, alongside giant Pacific octopuses and wolf eels that inhabit the crevices.

The seafloor is decorated with a rich array of invertebrates, including sea anemones, plumose anemones, and giant Pacific chitons. You may also encounter giant barnacles and various species of jellyfish, such as the lion's mane jellyfish.

Diving in this region requires an understanding of tidal movements, as local diurnal tides cause significant variations in current strength. Unprotected sites can experience quite strong currents depending on the time of day.

Water conditions are influenced by seasonal shifts in plankton production, which can affect visibility and the activity levels of local species.